18 Awesome Happy Hours in SF That You Probably Haven’t Been to Yet

A few weeks ago, we told you about our favorite oyster happy hours in SF, but one cannot subsist on dollar oysters alone. Sometimes a person also needs substantial, tasty bites to go along with their wine, beer, and cocktails … also all at discounted prices, of course.

And while you surely already have your go-to happy hours, there are a few new contenders we thought you might like on your radar, just in case you’re in the mood to mix it up. Which, considering the awesome deals at these 18 spots, is definitely something you should probably make happen.

MISSION
When: Weekdays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
What: Grab a seat at the bar, where you can enjoy $6 Sazeracs, hurricanes, and frozen daiquiris, and $3 bottles of Abita beer. And though it’s not discounted, we feel we’ve got to point out that you should also order from the bar menu, which is one of our favorite ones in the city, and includes dishes like pimento cheese and saltines, char-broiled Gulf oysters, fried pickles, and boudin balls with okra and creole mustard aioli.

MISSION
When: Monday through Wednesday from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
What: This spot is “not your typical Indian joint,” and the happy hour is not your typical happy hour, if only because it happens only three days a week. Still, it’s a great place to stop for an $8 “Nightly Libation” (a rotating signature cocktail), $5 beer from the self-serve fridge, select $7 wine, and $1 gol gappas.

SOMA
When: Daily from 4 to 6 p.m.
What: We kind of wish every “tapear” (that’s Spanish for “to have some tapas” and what they call happy hour at Bellota) could be in as beautiful a space as this one. Alas, life is hard. But it feels a lot less hard when you’re drinking $6 wine, $5 beer, $5 barrel cocktails, and $3 sherry, and snacking on $6 tapas like spiced marcona almonds, gilda pincho, and queso del dia.

TENDERLOIN
When: Daily from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
What: You’ve got to get in a sexy mood to enter the swanky downstairs lounge at Black Cat, and the best way to do that is to start with happy hour at the upstairs bar. There are a couple of beers for $6, a couple of wines for $8, two $8 cocktails (Wet Aviation Martini and Wet High West Manhattan), as well as lots of affordable snacks from $2 to $4, including smoked trout and caviar toast, oysters on the half shell, salumi, and popcorn with black truffle salt.

SOMA
When: Daily from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.
What: This mid-day bar menu is all about the “Bevvys and Bites” to be enjoyed in the Blue Bar. Offerings include $2 quail eggs, $5 crispy Brussels sprout chips, $8 ham and cheese soldiers, a $12 “Marlowe” Burger, as well as several $8 cocktails and wines by the glass, and $5 draft beer (make it a boilermaker for another $5). Feeling festive? Get a dozen oysters and a bottle of rosé for $30.

FINANCIAL DISTRICT
When: Monday through Friday from 3 to 7 p.m.
What: You don’t have to rush out of work to enjoy happy hour at this modern “lunch counter,” where you can get discounted bar bites like $2 salt-and-vinegar popcorn, $6 salt cod deviled eggs, $7 mix-and-match chips and dips (choose from chips, toasts, or carrot and celery sticks and dips like pimento cheese and classic artichoke), and, our favorite: a wandering bar cart stocked with wines, bubbles, and beer, so you don’t have to go back to the cashier to order your second round.

SOMA
When: Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m.
What: Sip on $8 cocktails, $6 well drinks, and get $2 off draft beer and wine while you play 40 video games, including Pac-Man, Ghostbusters pin ball, Pop-A-Shot, NBA Jam, and Time Crisis. And while you’ll have to pay for those games during happy hour, if you go on the last Sunday of the month, every single game is on Free Play from 4 p.m. until close.

MID-MARKET
When: Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m.
What: You guys. During happy hour at this hot new Mid-Market spot, you get every single cocktail, wine by the glass, and beer for $5. We’re not saying go for the cocktails and wine in order to get the most bang for your buck, but if you’re smart, that’s what you’ll do.

MARINA
When: Thursdays from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
What: Calling all night owls. It’s all about old-fashioned drinks at old-fashioned prices at this late-night happy hour, where you can get martinis, old-fashioned cocktails, and champagne cocktails for just five clams each.

MARINA
When: Tuesday through Sunday from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m.
What: The happy hour at Maybeck’s is legit, so if you do it right, you won’t need dinner afterward. That’s because it includes glasses of wine, cocktails, and bar bites, all for $7 each. And they’re not messing around. The cocktails offered are a house Negroni, Veracruz margarita, “imperfect” Manhattan, and Most Simple Lion, which would already be impressive, but the bar bites are where things get serious. Six oysters on the half shell, fried pickles and ranch, meatballs marinara, toasted raviolis, rosemary frites, and chicharrones. Yup, all just $7 each. Looking for something even heartier? Well that stuff’s pretty hearty, but we won’t judge if you also get the fried chicken sandwich, which is just $10 (five bucks cheaper than its normal price of $15).

MISSION
When: Monday through Friday from 3 to 5 p.m.
What: This Cuban-inspired hotspot offers an “Industry Happy Hour” during the week, with $6 croquetas, empanadas, and ceviche (usually $9 to $10); $3 mariquitas (plantain chips); $8 glasses of select red, white, and rosé, $4 cans of Stillwater lager; and $10 off all bottles on the “Reserva” wine list. If you haven’t been in yet, make this your excuse, as it’s truly one of the most adorable places that’s opened this year.

RUSSIAN HILL
When: Tuesday through Sunday from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday from 10 to 11 p.m.
What: Whether you’re an early bird or a night owl, this Mexican spot on Polk Street has you covered, with happy hours that include $2 off well cocktails, $7 sangria, $8 margaritas, and three different $10 shot-and-a-beer deals.

CASTRO
When: Monday through Saturday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. and Tuesday all day
What: While the $100 whole chicken in brioche may be a bit steep for most, if you sit in the lounge at this sister restaurant to Sushi Ran in Sausalito, you can get rotating drink specials during happy hour, and half-price select sake on Mondays. And in that chicken’s defense … it does serve four.

SOMA
When: Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m.
What: We can’t stop talking about this sexy restaurant, which serves a delicious modern take on Indian food, but if for some reason you’re not convinced, then definitely check it out during happy hour, when you can get “nibbles” like chili pakoda, chutney charred roti, a goan chorizo scotch egg, and Malabar prawn sausage for $5 to $7. There are also small plates like potato tikki, beetroot murabba, and charred sweet potato for $12. Pair it with an $8 glass of wine or $5 beer.

MISSION
When: Sunday through Thursday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
What: Head to this darling Eastern Mediterranean restaurant early to get five “loukmat” (that means “bite” in Arabic) for $15. It’s a great way to start the night and to sample menu items like marinated feta, house-made and cured sausage, meatballs, and more. Pair it with $10 select wines or a $10 Tawla Punch, which changes, but the current iteration is rancio + dolin sweet vermouth, grapefruit, strawberries, and blood orange.

Daisy Barringer moved to San Francisco when she was six years old and though she considers herself a “local,” knows better than to ever call herself “a native.” She resides in the Upper Haight/Cole Valley, but spends a lot of time in Tahoe with her 150-pound Saint Bernard, Monkey.